System and method for delivering last mile computing over light from a plurality of network edge locations

ABSTRACT

Last mile computing is a cost effective system and method for delivering subscription based multimedia computing, wherein processing is done at network edge and the computed multimedia information is transported over light to be presented on remote end devices. The network edges can include a campus data center location, a metro data center location, a rural data center location, and a traditional telecommunication central office location. The computed multimedia information can deliver data, voice and video services. The last mile computing system enables subscribers to choose and perform last mile computing in a plurality of operating system environments: the system&#39;s native master operating system environment; Microsoft operating systems environments; Apple-Macintosh operating systems environments; Unix and Linux operating systems environments; and in any other commercially available Legacy operating systems environments. All last mile computing systems are interconnected in a local domain architecture and all local domains in turn are interconnected in an inter domain architecture over optically enabled communication networks. Such interconnected last mile computing domains provides a means for delivering last mile services ubiquitously. Subscribers can request last mile services from any last mile computing system regardless of their home location.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to communication systems and moreparticularly to delivering last mile computing over light from aplurality of network edge locations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Desktop based computing has emerged as the de facto mode of deliveringcomputing replacing mainframe computing. Users have to purchaseexpensive personal computers and or laptop computers to meet theircomputing needs. With changes in the processor speed or with theavailability of newer programs and operating systems, users are forcedto replace their desktop based personal computers and laptop computersevery few years. For corporations, management of desktop computers hasbecome the second biggest expense after employee payroll. The purchaseprice of a desktop computer is only a fraction of the total cost ofsupporting desktop based systems over their short life span of 24 to 36months. In addition to mounting costs, desktop based computing alsocreates huge loss of productivity. Every user of desktop computer isacutely aware of the painful downtime they have to endure when theirsystem fails. Key applications such as database applications aredelivered from centralized servers, which traditionally are powerfuldesktop computers. They typically have the same or a little longer lifespan than that of desktop computers. Maintenance and management costs ofcentralized servers can be an order of magnitude higher than desktopcomputers. A majority of server based applications have a clientcomponent, which once again needs to be run on a desktop computer. Thoseclient-server applications that eliminated the client component, and cannow be accessed over the Internet, still generally are accessed by usingeither a desktop based personal computer or a laptop computer.

For mobile users, laptop computers to a certain extent have eased theproblem of accessing information when traveling. But not all people havelaptops. Those users who have laptops, security of their informationbecomes a concern. Even the physical security of laptop computers is anissue. They can be easily lost, stolen or broken. But the biggestconcern of laptop computer users is the speed by which they accessserver based applications and data, when away from their officelocations. As user programs become more sophisticated and bulky, laptopusers, when away from their offices are paralyzed by slow access speeds.Today attachments of over 1 megabyte are commonplace and are growing insize.

Computing to this day remains elusive from a vast number of people. Noteveryone can afford a desktop system. Even the richest school districtscannot provide a computer to every student. In its present form, theusage of desktop computers may never reach the ubiquitous penetration ofthat of telephone service. One vastly overlooked aspect of desktop basedcomputing is the wastage of resources. At all times, only a fraction ofpersonal computer and laptop computer processor and other key resourcesare utilized. And when these systems are turned off, none of thecapabilities are utilized. Such colossal waste of permanently dedicatedresources to one individual serves no purpose. Recycling of used desktopand laptop computers is another big problem. Unwanted desktop and laptopcomputers have already become a major environmental threat.

Recent innovations in the optical segments of the telecommunicationindustry have gone untapped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for deliveringmultimedia last mile computing from network edge locations over light,embodying a wide array of converged programming, processing, andnetworking logic. The network edges can embody a plurality oflocations—a campus data center location, a metro data center location, arural data center location, and a traditional telecommunication centraloffice location, for example. The computed multimedia information candeliver a plurality of services—data services, voice services and videoservices, for example.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a last mile computing systemincludes a relatively tightly coupled optical unit and a macroprocessing system. The macro processing system delivers processingcapacity to the last mile computing subscriber based on saidsubscriber's subscription level. The processing capacity can be ofvarious strength levels. The optical unit includes an opticaltransceiver and can convert the computed multimedia information in lightform and transmit it to be displayed on end devices connected to theclient premise device. It can also receive subscriber commands and enddevice system messages in light form. The optical transceiver canmultiplex multiple light signals of different colors that are eachcapable of supporting a plurality of distinct last mile computingsession.

In another embodiment, a last mile computing system includes a multiuser, multi tasking master operating system. The master operating systemincludes a kernel that can provide specialized functionality in additionto a general purpose operating system functionality. The specializedfunctionality can provide subscribers the freedom to choose and performlast mile computing from a plurality of commercial operating systems.The commercial operating system choices include, for example, Microsoftoperating systems, Apple-Macintosh operating systems, Unix and Linuxoperating systems, and any other commercially available Legacy operatingsystems. Subscribers can also choose to perform last mile computing in amaster operating system environment. The commercial operating systemscan execute on top of the master operating system environment. Themaster operating system can mask its presence from the commercialoperating systems while also masking the remoteness of subscribers. Thecommercial operating systems can operate such that they are operating ina standalone mode.

In another embodiment, a last mile computing system includes an alliedresources subsystem that can provide critical system resources for thedelivery of the multimedia last mile computing. These critical systemresources include, for example, memory, storage, commercial operatingsystems and commercial applications and user programs.

In another embodiment, a last mile computing system includes anoptically enabled communication network. The optical communicationnetwork can connect a centralized portion of the last mile computingsystem to a remote client premise device.

In another embodiment, a last mile computing system includes a clientpremise device. The client premise device has an optical transceiver andcan interface to connect end devices to display, for example, data,voice, and video services. It can receive the computed multimediainformation in light form and further cause it to be displayed on acorresponding end device. The optical transceiver unit can also convertand transmit subscriber commands and device system messages in lightform a client premise device can support a plurality of last milecomputing session.

Particular embodiments provide a means for the delivery of subscriptionbased multimedia computing over light from network edge locations. Thecomputed multimedia information can support the delivery of dataservice, voice service, and video service. Subscribers can access lastmile computing services by providing authentication credentials to alast mile computing system. Voice services and video services can bedelivered transparently, once subscribed.

Last mile computing systems in a defined geographical proximity can be amember of a local last mile computing domain. Members of a local domaincan be interconnected over a high capacity optically enabledcommunication network. Multiple local last mile computing domains inturn can be interconnected in an inter-domain architecture over such anoptically enabled communication network. Subscribers of a particularlocal last mile computing domain can be considered foreign subscriberson a different last mile computing domain, and such a domain can beconsidered a foreign domain. Subscribers can select a home location toperform last mile computing during an initial subscription process.

Particular embodiments provide mobile subscribers freedom from having tocarry any equipment. When away from home location, subscribers canperform last mile computing from any last mile computing system. Such alast mile computing system can be on subscribers' local domain or can beon any foreign domain. Regardless of which location subscribers chooseto perform last mile computing, subscribers can have complete access totheir applications and data. Similar to computing or data service, voiceand video services can also be delivered transparently at any foreignlast mile computing location of any foreign last mile computing domain.In essence, all last mile computing services—for example, data services,voice service, and video service—can follow the subscriber.

Particular embodiments, in which a last mile computing system isinterconnected in a local domain, can support over subscription, therebyenabling a last mile computing system to subscribe more subscribers thansaid system's total service capacity. Subscribers requesting servicefrom a last mile computing system with no servicing capacity can betransparently handed over to a member last mile computing system on thelocal domain with adequate service capacity.

Certain embodiments may provide all, some, or none of these technicaladvantages, and certain embodiments may provide one or more othertechnical advantages which may be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present invention andthe features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example last mile computing system;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example client premise device;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example initial subscription process and anexample login process;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method for handling over subscription in alocal last mile computing domain;

FIG. 5 illustrates example logic for last mile computing in a foreigndomain;

FIG. 6 illustrates example logic for read write operations in a masteroperating system environment and in a commercial operating systemenvironment;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for transparent delivery of voiceand video services;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example local domain last mile computing system;and

FIG. 9 illustrates example local domain last mile computing systemsinterconnected in an example inter domain last mile computing systemarchitecture.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the functional terminology of a parent kernel processand a child kernel process can be used interchangeably. The term“subscriber” encompasses an authorized user of the last mile computingsystem. The term “network edge” encompasses a centralized location fromwhere computing can be performed and delivered. The term “home location”encompasses a subscriber's initial subscription location. The term “homedomain” and “local domain” encompasses a group of interconnected lastmile computing systems in a defined geography in which one of the lastmile computing systems is a subscriber's home location last milecomputing system. The term “foreign location” encompasses another lastmile computing system that is not a member of the subscriber's homedomain. The term “foreign domain” encompasses a group of foreign lastmile systems interconnected in a defined geography. The terms “computingservices” and “last mile services” can be used interchangeably andencompass data services, voice service, and video service. The term“data service” encompasses computing service.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example last mile computing system 1. The lastmile computing system 1 delivers last mile multimedia computing overlight from a network edge location. The last mile computing system 1generally includes a master operating system 10, a tightly couplednetworking-processing platform 50, an allied resources subsystem 60, acommunication network 70, and a client premise device 100. Thecommunication network 70 links the tightly coupled networking-processingplatform to the client premise device 100 of the last mile computingsystem 1. The multimedia computed information transmitted by the tightlycoupled networking-processing platform 50 using the communicationnetwork 70 to the client premise device 100 supports the delivery ofdata, voice, and video services. The master operating system 10, thetightly coupled networking-processing platform 50 and the alliedresources subsystem 60 are collectively referred as the centralizedassembly of a last mile computing system. The centralized assembly ofthe last mile computing system 1 can be at a plurality of network edgelocations: a campus data center location; a metro data center location;a rural data center location; and a traditional telecommunicationcentral office location. The client premise devices are located at aplurality of remote subscriber locations.

The tightly coupled networking-processing platform 50 is the heart ofthe last mile-multimedia computing system 1. It includes two distinctbut highly coupled components, a large macro processing system 52 and ahigh capacity optical unit 51 having an optical transceiver. The macroprocessing system 52 delivers guaranteed processing capacity tosubscribers whereby said capacity is reclaimed and added back to thepool of the available processing capacity at the end of each last milecomputing session. During the initial startup or boot of the last milecomputing system, a fixed measure of dedicated processing capacity isallocated to run the master operating system 10. This portion of themacro processing unit's 52 capacity is marked protected and remainsdedicated to run the master operating system 10 and said capacity isexcluded from subscriber use. The architecture of the macro processingsystem 52 is modular and the total processing capacity of said systemcan be varied. Such a modular architecture provides a means for offeringvarious processing levels for subscribers to select from. Furthermore,subscribers can also request additional processing capacity by a clickof a mouse should their processing requirements increase. The saidmodular architecture also provides a means for subscribers to reducetheir subscribed processing capacity level. The total processingcapacity of the macro processing system 52 is less than the subscribers'cumulative processing capacity requirements. The ratio of the processingcapacity of the macro processing system 52 to the total subscribers'cumulative processing capacity requirement is variable. For example, alast mile computing system may be able to service 1000 subscribers atany given instance but the system may subscribe 1200 subscribers. Thisis due to the fact that all subscribed subscribers will not requestservice simultaneously. Based upon the system usage heuristics, and thedensity of subscribers, the system's service capacity to subscriberratio can be lowered or increased.

The optical transceiver of the optical unit 51 of the tightly couplednetworking-processing platform 50 transmits the computed multimediainformation in light form using general purpose communication protocolsover the communication network 70 to the client premise device 100. Italso receives subscriber commands through end devices connected to theclient premise device 100 and the system messages of these devices. Theoptical transceiver of the client premise device 100 converts thesubscriber commands and devices system messages into light and transmitsit over the communication network 70 to be received by said transceiverof the optical unit 51. The optical transceiver of the optical unit 51thereby forwards said client premise location commands and systemmessages and passes them to the master operating system 10 for furtherprocessing.

The optical transceiver of the networking-processing platform 50maintains a two way communication session with the client premise device100. This enables the centralized assembly of the last mile computingsystem 1 maintain a highly responsive and seamless communication withthe client premise device 100. The optical transceiver of said platform50 multiplexes a plurality of light signals of different colors eachcolor capable of supporting a plurality of distinct last mile computingsession.

The two way communication between the optical transceiver 51 and theclient premise device 100 can be dynamic. The optical transceiver of theoptical unit 51 also provides a means for the last mile computing system1 to communicate with other last mile computing systems and also theoutside world. The optical unit 51 and the macro processing unit 52 ofthe networking-processing platform 50 are tightly coupled 53. Thesetightly coupled units of the networking-processing platform 50 can bepresent in a single chassis and can also be housed in separate chassis.

The master operating system 10 of the last mile computing system 1 is amulti user multi tasking operating system. It includes a kernel andprovides general purpose operating system functionality of prior knownart while also providing special purpose operating system functionalityas described herein.

The master operating system 10 operates in two modes—the user mode 49,and the kernel mode 19. In the user mode 49, the master operating system10 has common traps 45, and library routines 46 providing operatingsystem functionality of prior known art. The master operating system 10also provides system call interfaces 91 and 92 to facilitate theexecution of processes in the user mode 49 originating from the clientpremise device 100 environment, the networking-processing platform 50environment, and the allied resources subsystem 60 environment. Systemcall interface 92 provides a means for processes to change state fromuser mode 49 to kernel mode 19. System call interfaces 90 and 91facilitate communication between the kernel processes and thenetworking-processing platform 50 and the allied resources subsystem 60environments respectively. Said interfaces also facilitates delivery ofresults of the processes executing in the kernel mode 19 to thenetworking-processing 50 and the allied resources subsystem 60environments respectively

Subscribers can choose to perform last mile computing in the masteroperating system 10 environment or they can choose any one of thecommercially available operating systems 64 to perform last milecomputing. When a commercial operating system is selected for performinglast mile computing, an image of said operating systems gets loaded ontop of the master operating 10 for execution. The master operatingsystem 10 while masking its presence also masks the remoteness of thesubscriber from the selected commercial operating system. Subsequentlythe master operating system 10 facilitates the proper functioning of thecommercial operating system as described in subsequent sections.

During the initial boot of the last mile computing system 1, the masteroperating system 10 is loaded in memory space 61 of the allied resourcessubsystem 60. The off the shelf commercial operating systems 64 are runon top of the master operating system 10, should subscribers choose toperform last mile computing in a commercial operating systemenvironment. The kernel processes of the master operating system 10communicate with each other by making use of the services of theinterprocess communication process 21 of the system procedures subsystem20. As described heretofore, the kernel processes communicates with thenetworking-processing platform and the allied resources subsystemplatform by making use of system call interfaces 90 and 91 respectively.

Some kernel process, such as the kernel subscription process 11, thememory manager process 25, and the storage manager process 26 spawnchild processes, which are dedicated to facilitate the smooth operationof individual subscribers' last mile computing session. Said childprocesses constantly communicate the status of the subscriber's sessionto their parent processes and in case wherein any of the parameters ofsubscriber's last mile computing session falls below the optimal definedparameters, the parent processes issues executive level commands to thelast mile computing system 1 to immediately correct the situation andbring subscriber's last mile computing session to optimal levels ofperformance.

The allied resources subsystem 60 of the last mile computing system 1includes memory space 61, storage space 62, commercial applications anduser programs space 63 and commercial operating systems space 64. Theseare the required resources for delivering last mile computing asdescribed herein. The architecture of the allied resources subsystem 60can be expanded to include other general purpose devices such as videogateways, voice gateways, cache systems, and load balancing devices etc.The device drivers 13 module of the master operating system 10 mayinclude the logic to facilitate the proper functioning of the newlyintroduced devices in the allied resources subsystem 60. Devices thatmaster operating system 10 cannot service, the master operating system10 provides means for introducing driver logic for servicing saiddevices.

Kernel processes of the master operating system 10 cater to large numberof subscribers simultaneously while managing the overall systemresources under their management. They do this by spawning identicalchild processes running in the kernel mode 19 for the administration,management and monitoring of each individual subscriber's last milecomputing session. The parent process in turn manages all the childprocesses and also manages the overall system resources while the childprocess manages the resources under their jurisdiction. The childprocess continually presents the status of the resources under itsjurisdiction to its parent process. Some child kernel processes such asthe unique child kernel process once spawned remains alive during theentire subscription period of the subscriber regardless the subscriberis performing last mile computing or not. The child storage managerprocesses also remain alive during the entire subscription period.However, other child processes such as the child memory manager process,are spawned for the duration of the subscriber session and dies ones thesession ends.

The kernel subscription process 11 of the master operating system 10 isthe principal process to which all other kernel processes of the masteroperating system 10 reports their operational status. It monitors theoverall performance of the last mile computing session to ensure thatthe service level agreements provided are continually met. Should thelast mile computing session fall below optimal performance levels, thekernel subscription process 11 issues executive level commands tocorrect the situation immediately and brings the last mile computingsession to optimal performance levels.

The kernel subscription process 11 has registries wherein saidregistries contain subscriber subscription and authenticationinformation. When a new subscriber subscribes, the kernel subscriptionprocess 11 spawns a child kernel subscription process with a uniqueidentifier, which identifies the child process as the child of thekernel subscription process 11. The child kernel subscription processcontains a plurality of subscriber information including: subscribersystem resources such as processing power level, memory space, andstorage requirement information; subscriber location information;subscriber authentication information; types of last mile servicessubscribed; and the agreed upon system performance service levelagreements, etc. The child kernel subscription process also containsintelligence to request the master operating system of a foreign domainto create a clone of itself when subscriber intends to perform last milecomputing from said foreign domain. It also has logic to switch fromactive to dormant state and from dormant to active state. The kernelsubscription processes 11 furthermore encompasses service daemons ondedicated ports listening in slave mode to subscriber service requests.The service request can be of type computing or data service wherein theservice daemon initiates the facilitation of subscriber authenticationfor the delivery of said service. Service requests can also be of typevoice services and video services wherein the service daemon initiatesthe transparent delivery of said services request.

During subscriber last mile computing session, a plurality of kernelprocesses including: the master file system 12; memory manager 25,storage manager 26; applications manager 27; and commercial operatingsystems manager 28; etc, communicate the status of the resources undertheir jurisdiction to the child kernel subscription process 11 by usingthe services of interprocess communication process 21. The child kernelsubscription process 11 thereby ensures that at all times the last milecomputing system is delivering optimal performance meeting thesubscriber subscribed service level criteria. If at any time, the lastmile computing session performance tends to fall below optimal definedlevels, the child kernel subscription process informs the parent kernelsubscription process 11, to issue an executive command to correct thesituation which the interprocess communication process 21 broadcasts toall those kernel processes who are responsible for and to take immediatecorrective actions to bring the subscriber last mile computing sessionto optimal performance levels. The kernel subscriber process 11administers, manages and monitors all the child kernel subscriptionprocess it spawns. The spawned child kernel subscription processes runin the kernel mode 49 in the protected memory of the memory space 61.The kernel subscription process 11 also provides a means for subscribersto modify registry entries relating to the subscription criteria. Whensubscribers intends to change subscription criteria, the last milecomputing system challenges the subscriber for appropriate credentials,and when said credentials are provided and verified, subscribers aregiven access to a subset of subscription related kernel subscriptionprocess registry entries, thereby subscribers can change theirsubscription criteria.

At all times, the macro processing system scheduler 24 of the masteroperating system 10 keeps tracks of the available processing power ofthe macro processing system 52. When subscribers login to the last milecomputing system 1 and requests service, the kernel subscription process11 authenticates the subscriber and looks up kernel registries todetermine subscriber subscription level. It then instructs the macroprocessing system scheduler 24 to secure and allocate appropriateprocessing resources to the subscriber session. During the duration ofthe subscriber's last mile computing session, the allocated processingcapacity is guaranteed for said subscriber's use. Based on theheuristics of the subscriber's usage of the processing power, the masteroperating system 10 may use some of the subscriber allocated processingcycles for other purposes. However, the kernel subscription process 11in charge of monitoring the service level agreements for the optimalperformance of subscriber's session permits the usage of spareprocessing capacity only when the subscriber's processing requirementsfall below predefined thresholds. The last mile system 1 can also beconfigured not to let the master operating system 10, use any of thesubscriber allocated processing capacity for other purposes, for aselect class of subscribers. Said select class of subscribers can beextended to include all subscribers of the last mile computing system 1.

The resource request scheduler 22 of the master operating system 10enables kernel processes in requesting and securing system wideresources. When oversubscribed, the resource request scheduler 22provides a means for the last mile computing system 1 to secureprocessing and other critical resources from peer last mile computingsystems on a local domain. The kernel device drivers 13 moduleencompasses peripheral and other devices driver logic, the devicecontrollers 44 of the hardware controller subsystem 40 provides meansfor controlling said devices. Device drivers 13 and device controllers44 also provide means for accessing, administering and controlling theclient premise device 100 location devices. The device drivers 13 moduleof the master operating system 10 include logic to facilitate the properfunctioning of the commonly used devices that may get introduced in theoverall system architecture, such as the introduction of new devices inthe allied resources subsystem 60. Those devices without the driver andcontrol logic embedded in the master operating system 10 environment,the master operating system 10 provides a means for introducing saiddevices, driver and control logic by making use of the kernel hooks ofthe master operating systems environment 35.

The master file system 12 of the master operating system 10 providesread write operation from and to the memory space 61 and storage space62 of the allied resources subsystem 60. The master file system 12 canalso perform read write operations from and to, peripheral storagedevices connected to the client premise device 100. The kernel hooks 30subsystem of the type of Microsoft Environment 31, Apple-MacintoshEnvironment 32, Unix and Linux Environment 33, and Legacy SystemsEnvironment 34 provides a means for the master operating system 10 toinvoke the file system functionality of said commercial operatingsystems to perform read write operations to the memory 61 and storage 62of the allied resources subsystem 60 when a commercial operating systemis selected by the subscriber to perform last mile computing. The kernelhooks 30 of the said types also masks the presence of the underlyingmaster operating system from the commercial operating systems, wherebythe presence of the master operating system is transparent to thecommercial operating systems. Similarly, the master operating system 10by making use of the kernel hooks 30 subsystem provides a means forprogramming in the commercial operating system environment. The kernelhooks of the type master operating system environment 35 provides ameans for programming in the master operating system environment 10. Thekernel hooks 30 of the appropriate type transparently passes through thesubscriber commands and client premise device 100 system messages to thecommercial operating systems. The appropriate kernel hooks also masksubscriber remoteness from said commercial operating systems.Quintessentially, the kernel hooks 30 subsystem simulates conditionsconducive to the operation of commercial operating systems wherein saidcommercial operating systems operates as such they are in a standalonemode of execution.

During initial boot of the last mile computing system 1, the masteroperating system 10 is loaded in the memory 61 of the allied resourcessubsystem 60 and is run on pre-determined macro processing system space52. This portion of the macro processing space 52 is exclusive for theoperation of the master operating system 10. The system procedurescontrol subsystem module 20 invokes the commercial operating systemsmanager 28 to determine the various types of commercial operatingsystems available in the commercial operating systems space 64.Subsequently the commercial operating systems manager 28 requests thehardware controller module 40 to invoke the allied resources subsystemcontroller 43 to load images of all the available commercial operatingsystems from the commercial operating systems space 64 in the memory 61of the allied resources subsystem 60. The allied resources subsystem 60keeps the loaded images of the commercial operating systems 64 in readystate at all times. When a subscriber requests service from the lastmile computing system 1, the kernel subscription process 11 determinesthe operating system preference of the subscriber. If a commercialoperating system selection is indicated, the kernel subscription process11 issues a command to the system procedures control subsystem 20 toinvoke the commercial operating systems manager 28 to oversee theconfiguration of the subscriber selected commercial operating system inthe subscriber allocated resources. Then the hardware controller 40 isnotified to invoke the allied resource subsystem controller 43 toconfigure the readily available image of the subscriber preferredcommercial operating system such that the subscriber can beginperforming last mile computing in the selected commercial operatingsystem environment.

During subscriber login, based on subscriber subscription level andcriteria, the macro processing system scheduler 24 allocates guaranteedprocessing capacity on the macro processing system 52 space, while thememory manager 25 allocates dedicated memory resources in the memoryspace 61 to the subscriber. If it is determined that the subscriber haschosen a commercial operating system to perform last mile computing, thecommercial operating systems manager 28 by making use of the services ofthe allied resource subsystem controller 43, facilitates theconfiguration of the subscriber preferred operating system in subscriberallocated resources. The macro processing system controller 42 ensuresthat the subscriber selected operating system is run correctly in themacro processing system space 52 allocated for said subscriber. Thecommercial operating systems manager 28 then uses the appropriate kernelhooks subsystem 30 to monitor and manage the proper functioning of thesubscriber selected commercial operating system.

When a newer version of commercial operating systems system isavailable, copies of such versions are made available in the commercialoperating systems space 64. The commercial operating systems manager 28facilitates the notification of the availability of a newer version tothe subscriber and should the subscriber choose to upgrade, thecommercial operating systems manager 28 by making use the services ofthe allied resource subsystem controller 43 facilitates the transitionto a newer version. The kernel subscription process 11 also updates itsregistry to the newer version of the operating system. Subscribers canalso invoke their subscription registries and switch back to an olderversion of a commercial operating system or to a different commercialoperating system environment for example from a Microsoft operatingsystems to a Apple-Macintosh operating system. The master operatingsystem 10 also provide means for subscribers to switch back to themaster operating system 10 environment to perform last mile computing.When subscribers switch from a commercial operating system based lastmile computing to the master operating system based last mile computing,applications and data that was generated in a commercial operatingsystem environment can continually be accessed by invoking theappropriate kernel hooks 30. During subscription process, subscriberscan choose to perform last mile computing in the master operating system10 environment.

During the initial subscription process, storage manager 26 of themaster operating system 10 oversees the creation of dedicated storage inthe storage space 62 of the allied resources subsystem 60. Unlike otherresources such as memory and processing capacity that are allocated tosubscribers for the duration of the last mile computing session, storageis permanently assigned for the exclusive use of each individualsubscriber of the last mile computing system 1. When a new subscriberapplies for subscription, the storage manager receives input from thekernel subscription process 11 to spawn a permanent and unique childstorage manager process to create subscriber exclusive storage in thestorage space 62 of the allied resources subsystem 60. The uniquestorage child manager makes use of the services of the allied resourcesubsystem controller 43, and crafts the most advantageous storage forsaid subscriber in the storage space 62. Subsequently the child storagemanager safeguards the newly created subscriber storage space andprovides a means for maintaining the integrity of subscriber content.Once spawned the unique child storage manager stays alive during theentire duration of subscriber subscription. It also keeps the kernelsubscription process 11 informed about the subscriber storage status andcontent integrity. Subscribers can invoke their kernel subscriptionprocess registries to request additional storage space. Under suchconditions the unique child of the storage manager 26 for saidsubscriber negotiates with the allied resource subsystem controller 43to obtain the most suitable and contiguous storage for the subscriber instorage space 62. The storage manager 26 also enables subscribers torelinquish any excess storage.

The applications manager 27 of the master operating system 10 enablesinstallation and removal of user programs and commercial applications inthe master operating systems environment and in the selected commercialoperating systems environment. Copies of the widely used commercialapplications loaded after the initial system boot are readily availablefor use by the subscribers. The application manager 27 also enablesinstallation of user specific commercial applications and user programsin the permanent subscriber storage of storage 62 of the alliedresources subsystem 60 by making use of the services of the master filesystem 12. Furthermore, the application manager provides a means forloading said subscriber specific applications and user programs in thesubscriber allocated memory space for ready execution. The applicationmanager 27 also enables subscribers to perform programming in thecommercial applications environment by making use of the services of theappropriate kernel hooks subsystem 30. Subsequently the applicationsmanager 27 provides means for monitoring and management of saidcommercial applications and user programs.

The memory manager 25 is responsible for the administration, monitoringand management of memory space 61 of the allied resources subsystem 60.During the initial system boot of the last mile computing system 1, themaster operating system 10 gets loaded in a protected portion of thememory space 61. The memory manager 25 takes into account this portionof the memory space 61 where the master operating system 10 resides andmarks the said memory area protected such that no other process orprogram can use said memory space. The memory manager 25 also protectsthe master operating system's 10 memory space by not allowing otherprocesses and programs use said protected memory of memory space 61,even should such processes and programs attempt to use it. The memorymanager 25 further marks additional memory from memory space 61 asreserved. Said reserved memory space is designated for the use ofspawned kernel process and also to load the images of commercialoperating systems and commercial applications to be readily available.Eternal processes such as child kernel subscription processes, childstorage manager processes, etc. reside permanently in the reservedmemory of memory space 61.

The memory manager 25 keeps tracks of the total memory space 61 and howmuch of is available at all times. During subscriber login, it receivesinstructions from the kernel subscription process 11, to allocatesubscriber subscribed measure of memory for the subscriber's last milecomputing session. The memory manager 26 then spawns a unique childmemory manager process to service the kernel subscription process's 11command. The newly spawned child memory manager process by making use ofthe services of the allied resource subsystem controller 43 of thehardware controller subsystem 40, harvests the most suitable memory frommemory space 61 in the subscriber subscribed measure and allocates itfor subscriber use. And upon memory allocation in said measure, thekernel subscription process 11 checks it registry to determine if acommercial operating system is selected by the subscriber to performlast mile computing; and if so instructs the commercial operatingsystems manager 28 to load the readily available copy of the selectedoperating system into the memory and configure it for execution. Thechild memory manager process of the memory manager 25 then provides aplurality of memory management services including: caching: memoryallocation; fragmentation and file mapping; paging; garbage collection;LIFO/FIF0; memory hierarchy and swapping; etc., during the duration ofthe subscriber's session for the continuous last mile computing sessionof said subscriber. The memory manager 25 then deducts the subscriberassigned memory from the total memory space 61. As the memory manager 25continues to spawn child processes it assigns a unique identifier toidentify each child process. The memory manager 25 then manages thechild processes while managing the overall memory space 61 while thechild memory manager processes manages the memory of memory space 61under their respective jurisdictions. Based on the heuristics of thesubscriber's usage of allocated memory, the master operating system 10may use some of the subscriber allocated processing cycles for otherpurposes. However, the kernel subscription process 11 in charge ofmonitoring the service level agreements for the optimal performance ofsubscriber's session permits the usage of spare processing capacity onlywhen the subscriber's memory usage requirements fall below predefinedthresholds. The last mile system 1 can also be configured not to let themaster operating system 10, use any of the subscriber allocated memoryfor other purposes, for a select class of subscribers. Said select classof subscribers can be extended to include all subscribers of the lastmile computing system 1. At the end of the subscriber's last milecomputing session, the child memory manager process, reclaims the memorythat had been assigned to the subscriber and includes it back to theavailable pool of memory space 61. The child memory manager process theninforms its parent, the memory manager 25, to issue a grateful deathcommand and dies gracefully.

Subscriber's initial subscription location becomes their default homelast mile computing location. The vast number of last mile computingsystems connected via optically enabled communication networks offersubscribers the ability to perform last mile computing from any foreigndomain when away from their home location. When subscribers requestsservice from a foreign last mile computing location, the kernelsubscription process 11 of the home location gets notified of thesubscriber's intent to perform last mile computing from a location. Thekernel subscription process 11 of the home location negotiates theavailability of system resources for the subscriber to perform last milecomputing at the foreign location. Once the system resources areguaranteed, the kernel subscription process 11 informs the child kernelsubscription process which has the subscriber information to create aclone of itself in the foreign last mile computing location of domain.The child kernel subscriber process requests the master operating system10 of the foreign last mile computing system to create a clone ofitself. The original child kernel subscription process at thesubscriber's home location thereafter provides the subscriber'ssubscription information to the master operating system of the foreignlast mile computing system in the foreign domain. The master operatingsystem of the foreign last mile computing system thereby creates anexact replica of the child kernel subscription process in its kernelenvironment.

The cloned kernel subscription process thereafter takes over theadministration, management and monitoring of the last mile computingsession at the foreign last mile computing location. Subsequently saidcloned process facilitates the transfer of subscriber applications anddata content to the foreign location. At this time, the child kernelsubscription process in the home domain goes into a dormant stage. Theactive cloned process in the foreign domain continually keeps the kernelsubscription process 11 in the home domain updated about the performanceof the last mile computing session at the foreign location. At the endof the subscriber session at the foreign last mile computing location,the cloned child kernel subscription process facilitates thesynchronization of subscriber applications and data from the foreignlocation to the subscriber's default home location. Subsequently, thecloned kernel subscription process informs the original child kernelsubscription process to come out of dormant mode into active mode. Thecloned subscriber process then requests the master operating system 10of the foreign location to issue a grateful death command and diesgracefully.

The optical unit scheduler 23 of the master operating system 10 keepstracks of the total and available transceiver capacity of the opticalunit 51. Working in tandem with the optical unit controller 41 of thehardware controller subsystem 40 it enables the optical unit 51 of thenetworking-processing platform 50 to communicate effectively andefficiently with a plurality of client premise devices 100. A pluralityof master operating system 10 processes makes use of buffer cache 14 inways similar to the usage of buffer cache of prior known art.

The total processing capacity of the macro processing system 52 is lessthan the cumulative processing requirements of the all subscribers forsaid last mile computing system 1. As described heretofore, this is avariable ratio based upon a plurality of criteria including: systemcapacity; geography; number of users; types of users; etc. When the lastmile computing system 1 reaches it maximum processing capacity and whenadditional subscribers request service, the macro processing systemscheduler 24 informs the resource request scheduler 22 that the homesystem has exhausted processing capacity and additional subscribers needto be serviced. The resource request scheduler 22 thereby confirms withother critical resource managers within its home environment todetermine what additional resources needs to be secured from peer lastmile computing systems on its local domain. Subsequently the resourcerequest scheduler 22 broadcasts a resource required message on the localdomain. It then collects and processes replies of all last milecomputing systems, and subsequently secures resources on the leastsubscribed last mile computing system on the local domain. Next, theoversubscribed subscribers are transparently handed over to the selectedpeer last mile computing system for service.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example client premise device 100. It includes anoptical transceiver 101 thereby providing means for converting thesubscriber voice, video, and data commands, as well as the clientpremise device 100 system messages into light form, and using generalpurpose communication protocols transmits these messages over thecommunication network of FIG. 1. It also receives the incominginformation on light from the optical transceiver of thenetworking-processing platform thereby converts this information intoelectronic form and hands it off to the parser module 104. The parsermodule 104 with the aid of the logic module 105 determines theappropriate output destination for the incoming information. For voicecalls, the parser module 104 routes the information to the correspondingvoice ports 107. Data or computing information is forwarded to dataports 106 to be displayed on corresponding data display devices such asmonitors while video information is forwarded to video ports 108 to bedisplayed on video devices such as televisions. The logic module 105also provides display devices window management. It may also collect andkeep track of input device commands and messages. For voice calls, thelogic module 105 collects the sequentially dialed numbers on the voicedevice, determines when the number sequence is completed and thereafterforwards the collected digits to the optical transceiver 101 to completethe voice call. The logic module 105 communicates with the masteroperating system of FIG. 1 to process its information. The clientpremise device 100 also includes remote sensors 102, network connection103, keyboard ports 109, mice ports 110, speaker ports 111, generalpurpose parallel ports 112, general purpose serial ports 113 and generalpurpose USB ports 114.

The remote sensor 102 transmits and receives information from aplurality of general purpose wireless input output device including:wireless phones; wireless keyboards; wireless mice; wireless speakers;wireless biometrics devices; etc. Network connection interface 103,connects the client premise device 100 to the communication network ofFIG. 1, linking the client premise device to the centralized assembly ofthe last mile computing system. A plurality of video devices including:televisions; video cameras; etc. can be connected to video ports 108. Aplurality of general purpose telephone devices including: PBXs; keysystem; telephone sets; etc. can be connected to the voice ports 107.Data or computing is displayed on computing display devices connected todata ports 106. Keyboards, mice and speakers can be connected to ports109, 110, and 111 respectively. Parallel port devices including printerscan be connected to parallel ports 112. Serial devices and other generalpurpose devices with USB connection can be connected to ports 113 and114 respectively. The client premise device 100 can support a pluralityof last mile computing sessions.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example initial subscription process and anexample login process. At block 200 the logic embodies that a clientpremise device is powered ON and the logic moves to state 201, which hasbeen illustrated as a decision diamond for clarity of disclosure. Atstate 201, the logic determines whether the last mile computing has beenpreviously subscribed at the present location. This test is analogous tooff hook position of the common plain old telephone service (POTS) phoneto determine if there is dial tone. The manner in which the test atstate 201 is conducted is that the client premise device sends a hellomessage on the network and if service at said location has beenpreviously subscribed, the centralized assembly of the last milecomputing system acknowledges the hello message thereby the logic atstate 201 turns to positive and the logic moves to block 202. If noservice has been subscribed at the present location, the centralizedassembly of the last mile computing system does not acknowledge thehello message of the client premise device and the logic at state 201turns negative and the logic moves to block 210.

At block 210, the logic is for the client premise device to broadcast aservice required request message on the network. The service requiredmessage could be broadcasted to all local domain last mile computingsystems. In a local domain one or more last mile computing systems canbe present. The number of last mile computing systems in a local domaindepends primarily on the subscriber density in a given geography. Thoughthe service request message may be received by more than one last milecomputing systems, the tightly coupled networking-processing platform ofthat last mile computing system responds in whose jurisdiction theclient premise device location falls. As the logic moves to block 212,the networking-processing platform of the in-jurisdiction last milecomputing system acknowledges the client premise device's request forservice. This acknowledgement logic at block 212 is in the form of theservicing networking-processing platform presenting its unique systemidentification, which can be a combination of its ethernet address andother uniquely identifying system parameters. This unique identificationpertains to the service providing last mile computing system in whosejurisdiction said client premise device location falls. At this juncturewherein the in-jurisdiction networking-processing platform indicates tothe client premise device 100, that it is the service provider, theclient premise device, populates its service provider identificationfield.

If the decision at state 201 is positive, the logic moves to block 202.The logic at block 202 is that the last mile computing systemunderstands that the service has been previously subscribed at thepresent client premise device location. At this juncture, the masteroperating system instructs the kernel subscription process to issue alogin prompt to the subscriber. As the logic at block 202 is executed,wherein a login prompt is displayed to the subscriber, the logic movesto the diamond decision box 203. If the decision at state 203 ispositive, wherein the subscriber has provided the correct authenticationcredentials, the last mile computing system authenticates the subscriberand the logic moves to block 204 and then to block 206 whereinprocessing and allied subsystem resources are secured. The masteroperating system then configures the preferred operating system andloads any selected and user programs as described in FIG. 4. The logicthen moves to the circular block 208, wherein the last mile computingsystem displays the desktop settings on the subscriber display, asdescribed in subsequent sections, thereby subscriber can beginperforming last mile computing.

A negative decision at state 203 may imply an additional subscriberwants to subscribe to the last mile computing system from said location.The logic then moves to state 213, which is the diamond decision box.State 213 is to determine whether the subscriber at the present clientpremise device location has a pre-selected subscription. Thepre-selected subscription is primarily for corporate users whosecorporation has signed a blanket last mile computing service for itsemployees. The manner in which the decision test at state 213 isconducted is that the networking-processing platform presents a windowon the subscriber display device prompting the subscriber to inputpre-selected service code. If the logic at decision diamond 213 ispositive, the logic then moves to block 216. At block 216, the logic isto prompt the subscriber to enter the pre-selected service code. Thelast mile computing service provider may offer a plurality of last milecomputing services including: gold service package; silver servicepackage; bronze service package; etc. These service packages maycorrespond to different processing power levels and different systemresources such as memory and storage space etc. The logic at block 216is for the subscriber to enter the required information. Once the lastmile computing system verifies the pre-selected service code, the logicmoves to block 218. If the diamond decision at state 213 is negative,the logic moves to block 214. At block 214, the logic is for the lastmile computing system to present a series of subscription choices to thesubscriber. Once the subscriber selects the desired subscription leveland service types, the logic moves to block 218.

At block 218, the last mile computing system prompts the subscriber toenter authentication credentials. Once the subscriber providesauthentication credentials, the logic moves to block 220. The logic atblock 220 is that the kernel subscription process of the masteroperating system spawns a child kernel subscription process whoseregistries are populated with the subscriber's subscription informationwhich includes subscribed service types, subscriber's processing powerlevel, system resources requirement, preferred operating system,authentication information, and all other related information.

The logic then moves to block 222 and then to block 224 whereinprocessing and allied subsystem resources are secured. Since this is anew subscriber, at block 224 a unique child storage manager process isspawned which then harvests the most advantageous storage from storagespace of the allied resource subsystem and allocates the harvestedstorage space permanently for subscriber's exclusive use. The masteroperating system then configures the preferred operating system andloads any selected commercial application and user programs as describedin FIG. 4. Once the logic at block 224 is executed, the logic moves tocircular block 226, which is to display the desktop settings on thesubscriber's display device and subscriber can begin performing lastmile computing.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method for handling over subscription in alocal last mile computing domain. The logic at block 230 embodies asubscriber logging into a home last mile computing system location torequest service. The decision diamond of state 231 determines whetherthe last mile computing system has enough processing capacity and othercritical resources at said location, so as to serve the presentsubscriber's request for service with optimum performance levels. Thekernel subscription process determines this by querying the resourcerequest scheduler to establish whether processing and other keyresources exist to service the subscriber. If key resources such asprocessing capacity and memory can be procured at home location toservice the subscriber with optimum performance levels, the decision ofthe diamond at state 231 is determined to be positive. If either theprocessing capacity or other critical resources cannot be secured at thehome location, then the decision of the diamond at state 231 isdetermined to be negative.

In case of negative decision at state 231, the logic moves to block 232wherein the home location broadcasts a critical resources requiredrequest on the local domain of which the last mile computing system is amember. The architecture of the local domain last mile computing systemsis designed such that all last mile computing systems within a localdomain are capable of servicing the oversubscribed subscriber of anypeer last mile computing system. The logic then moves to block 234 whereall members of the local last mile computing domain responds with theiravailable service capacity and the home location last mile computingsystem selects the one that is most suitable to service the presentoversubscribed subscriber. This selection is usually a function of whichof the peer last mile computing systems has the most available capacity.However, the home location last mile computing system can also modifythe selection criteria for choosing the best suited peer to service theover subscribed subscriber. Once the best peer is identified to servicethe oversubscribed subscriber, the logic then moves to block 236.

At block 236, the logic is for the home location last mile computingsystem to secure the processing capacity meeting the subscriber'ssubscription criteria. Once the processing resources are secured, thelogic then moves to block 238 where the logic is to acquire the alliedsubsystem resources in the selected last mile computing system. In thiscase, where the processing and other allied subsystem resources areacquired on a peer last mile computing system in a local domain, thepeer resources dedicated to the oversubscribed subscriber becomes avirtual extension of the system requesting such resources. This ispossible due to the fact that the peer last mile computing systems in alocal domain are connected over a high capacity, resilient and selfhealing optically enabled communication network. In most cases, if thereexists processing capacity at a last mile computing location to servicea newly service requesting subscriber, then there are also exists othercritical resources to service the service requesting subscriber.However, the last mile computing systems in a local domain can bedesigned to mix and match resources from other last mile computingsystems within that domain.

If the decision diamond of state 231 is determined to be positive, thenthe logic moves to block 240 and then to block 242 wherein processingand allied subsystem resources are secured at the home location. Thelogic then moves to the diamond decision 243, which determines if themaster operating system is selected as the preferred operating system toperform last mile computing. Checking the registry of the presentsubscriber's unique child kernel process, it is determined whether ornot the subscriber has chosen to perform last mile computing sessionusing the native master operating system. If the diamond decision ofstate 243 is negative, then the logic moves to block 244 where thesubscriber's chosen operating system is loaded to run on top of themaster operating system. The logic then moves to block 246 wheresubscriber specific commercial applications and user programs are loadedin the subscriber allocated memory of the memory space of the alliedresources subsystem. Thereafter the logic moves to the circular block248 wherein the desktop settings based on the selected commercialoperating system environment are displayed on the subscriber's displayand the subscriber can begin performing last mile computing.

If the diamond decision of state 243 is positive, the master operatingsystem 10 prepares to provide the entire operating system functionalityto the present subscriber. The logic then moves to block 250 wherecommercial applications and subscriber selected user programs are loadedand configured in the subscriber allocated memory and processingresources. The logic then moves to the circular block 252 wherein thedesktop settings based on the master operating system environment aredisplayed on the subscriber's display and the subscriber can beginperforming last mile computing in the master operating systemenvironment.

FIG. 5 illustrates example logic for last mile computing in a foreigndomain. Because of the ubiquitous and transparent nature of last milecomputing, subscribers can potentially login from any foreign locationwhen away from home location and be able to perform last mile computing.The logic at block 260 embodies a subscriber requesting service bylogging into a last mile computing system away from home location. Sincesubscriber's can also request service from any last mile computingsystem on the local domain of which their home last mile computingsystem is a member, the decision diamond of state 261 signifies a testto determines whether the subscriber is a member of the local domain. Ifthe subscriber is a member of the local domain, which implies that thesubscriber's home last mile computing system is a member of the presentlocal domain, then the decision diamond at state 261 turns positive andthe logic moves to block 278. At block 278 the subscriber istransparently handed over to its home last mile computing system and thesubscriber is authenticated. The logic then moves to block 280 wheresubscriber's last mile computing session resources are secured and thelogic advances to the circular block 282 where the home last milecomputing system displays the desktop settings and the subscriber canbegin performing last mile computing.

If the diamond decision at state 261 turns negative, it is establishedthat the service requesting subscriber is a member of a foreign domainand the logic moves to block 262. At block 262, the subscriber's logininformation is forwarded to the closest mirrored authenticationrepository. This mirrored authentication repository can be on thepresent local last mile computing domain or can be on any one of theadjacent last mile computing domains. At block 262, when theauthentication information is sent to the closest mirroredauthentication repository, the subscriber is authenticated and the logicmoves to block 264. At block 264, the logic is to identify thesubscriber's home domain location. This information about thesubscriber's home location is also stored in the mirrored authenticationrepository. Once the subscriber's home location is identified, the logicmoves to block 266 wherein the original subscriber kernel subscriptionprocess is notified of the subscriber's intent to perform last milecomputing in a foreign last mile computing location. The original childkernel subscription process provides the subscriber's subscriptiondetails and requests the master operating system of the foreign lastmile computing system to create a clone of itself in the foreign lastmile computing location, and the logic then moves to block 268 whereinthe original child kernel subscription process releases all sharedresources. This entails temporarily removing the subscriber earmarkedresource requirement from the home last mile computing system. Forexample, if the home last mile computing system has 100 subscriberssubscribed, now when one of the subscriber is performing computing at aforeign domain; the home computing system will consider it has only 99subscribed subscribers. Thereafter the original child kernelsubscription process after being acknowledged that its clone has beencreated at the foreign location goes into the dormant mode. The logicthen moves to block 270, where the subscriber is re-authenticated atforeign domain. This can happen transparently or the foreign last milecomputing system can prompt the subscriber to enter login credentialsonce more. At block 272, the clone subscription process secures all thenecessary last mile computing resources based on the presentsubscriber's subscription criteria. The logic then moves block 274wherein subscriber data is transferred to the foreign last milecomputing location. The subscriber data at block 274 can be transferredfrom the home location to the foreign location in one of two ways. Themostly used subscriber data may be transferred or the entire data may betransferred from the home location to the foreign location. If thepresent subscriber has performed last mile computing at the presentforeign location multiple times, then the entire subscriber data may betransferred. This data is transferred to a secure storage location atthe storage space 62 of the foreign domain's allied resources subsystem.Regardless of whether partial data is transferred or the entire data istransferred to the foreign location, this data transfer remainstemporary. The subscriber's permanent storage space at the home locationremains exclusive to the subscriber and the data content remainsunchanged. When data is transferred to the foreign location, it impliesa copy of the original data. During the last mile computing session atthe foreign location, as the data content changes, it gets synchronizedwith the original data at the subscriber's home location. Once eitherpartial or the entire data is transferred to the foreign location, thelogic moves to circular block 276 wherein the foreign last milecomputing system based on the subscriber's preferred operating systemenvironment displays desktop settings and the subscriber can beginperforming last mile computing at said foreign location.

FIG. 6 illustrates example logic for read write operations in a masteroperating system environment and in a commercial operating systemenvironment. The logic illustrated in FIG. 6 can be used when such acommercial operating system is selected as the preferred operatingsystem. The logic at block 300 embodies a subscriber read writeoperation. The decision diamond at state 301 determines whether or notthe master operating system is selected as the default operation system.If the state turns positive, then the logic moves to block 302 where theread write operation of the master operating system is invoked and thenlogic moves to block 304 wherein the read write is committed in themaster operating system environment. Should the diamond decision atstate 301 turn negative the logic moves to block 306 wherein thepreferred commercial operating system of the present subscriber isdetermined. The logic then moves to block 308 wherein the masteroperating system invokes the kernel hooks of the appropriate type fromthe kernel hooks subsystem to access the file system functionality inthe subscribers preferred commercial operating system environment. Thekernel hooks can of the type Microsoft environment 31, Apple-Macintoshenvironment 32, Unix and Linux Environment 33, or Legacy Systemsenvironment 34. The logic then moves to block 310 wherein the kernelhooks of the master operating system simulates a read write request inthe selected operating system environment and issues such read writerequest to the selected operating system. The logic then moves to block312 wherein the read write is committed in the subscriber selectedcommercial operating system environment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for transparent delivery of voiceand video services. During the initial subscription process whereby alast mile computing services provider offers voice and video services,subscribers can choose to subscribe to said services in addition tocomputing or data service. For the purpose of explanation of the logic,voice and video services are considered to be requested simultaneouslyhowever subscribers request said services individually. The logic atblock 320 embodies subscribers requesting voice and video services andthe logic moves to state 321, which has been illustrated as a decisiondiamond for clarity of disclosure. The logic at state 321 is a test todetermine whether the subscriber at the present client premise devicelocation is logged in to the system. If the decision at state 321 ispositive implying the subscriber at said client premise device locationis performing last mile computing, the logic moves to block 322. Atblock 322, the last mile computing system allocates system resources forthe requested services from the existing resources that have beenallocated to the subscriber's last mile computing session. Subsequentlythe logic moves to the circular block 324 whereby the requested servicesare delivered to the subscriber.

If the diamond at 321 turns negative implying that the subscriber atsaid client premise device is not performing last mile computing. Thelogic then moves to block 326 whereby the last mile computing systemwithout challenging subscriber to provide authentication credentialsassigns system resources transparently to process subscriber voice andvideo services request. Subsequently the logic moves to the circularblock 328 whereby the requested services are delivered to thesubscriber.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example local domain last mile computing system. Alocal last mile computing domain 125 interconnects last mile computingsystems 126, 127, 128, and 129 present in the local domain 125. Theinterconnection of the last mile computing systems on the local domain125 is over a robust optically enabled communication network. FIG. 8also illustrates the presence of a mirrored authentication repository124 on the local last mile computing domain. Not all local last milecomputing domains may have the mirrored authentication repository. Thelocal last mile computing domain 125 is also connected to the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) 140 and the Internet 150. The PSTN andthe Internet are connected to the optical communication network of thelast mile computing domain by a high speed connection 149. The linkcapacities of this high speed connection 149 could be different for theInternet and the PSTN. The number of last mile computing systems on thelocal domain 125 could be 1 or more than one. Number of last milecomputing systems in a local last mile computing domain is determinedbased on a predefined criteria.

FIG. 9 illustrates example local domain last mile computing systemsinterconnected in an example inter domain last mile computing systemarchitecture. Various local domain last mile computing domains 125, 135,145 and 155 are interconnected by a robust optically enabledcommunication network 130 in an inter-domain architecture. The number oflocal domains on the optically enabled communication network 130 canvary. The optical communications network can be a member of ahierarchical optical communication networks. FIG. 9 also embodies thepresence of mirrored authentication repositories 124, 134, and 144 onthe network. These mirrored authentication repositories may or may notpresent on all the local last mile computing domains. When a local lastmile computing domain such as 145 needs to authenticate users who arenot home subscribers, it avails the services of the closest adjacentmirrored authentication repository. The optically enabled communicationnetwork 130 can cover a metro region or can be nationwide or even globalin reach. Connection to the PSTN 140 and the Internet 150 is on aregional basis. The connectivity 149 to the PSTN 140 and the Internet150 can be of varying speeds. Subscribers of the local last milecomputing domain 125 are considered foreign subscribers on any of theremaining local last mile computing domains. A home subscriber of anylocal last mile computing domain can request last mile services whichincludes data or computing service, voice services and video servicesfrom any foreign domain connected to the optically enabled communicationnetwork 130. This inter-domain architecture also provides a means forsubscribers to change home locations seamlessly.

While particular embodiments are described and illustrated, theparticular embodiments described and illustrated are only representativeof the subject matter contemplated. The scope of the present inventionencompasses embodiments that are or could become apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the scope of the present invention is to belimited only by the appended claims. In the claims, reference to anelement in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one, butrather one or more unless explicitly stated. The present inventionencompasses all structural and functional equivalents to the elements ofthe embodiments described and illustrated that are known or later cometo be known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, it is notnecessary for a device, method, or logic to address each and everyproblem sought to be solved by the present invention to be encompassedby the present claims. No element, component, or method step in thedescribed and illustrated embodiments is intended to be dedicated to thepublic regardless of whether the element, component, or method step isexplicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to beconstrued under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. sections 112, sixthparagraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase“means for.”

1. A system for delivering computed multimedia content from a plurality of network-edge locations, the computed multimedia content being operable to deliver a plurality of services, the system comprising: a macro processing system operable to deliver processing power of a plurality of strength levels; an optical unit comprising an optical transceiver that is operable to: receive the computed multimedia content; convert the computed multimedia content to light form; and transmit the computed multimedia content using one or more communication protocols over an intermediate communication network for display at each of a plurality of remote end devices; a multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system operable to enable a plurality of subscribers to each choose from a plurality of operating system environments to perform computing; an allied resources subsystem operable to provide each of the subscribers a plurality of system resources; and an intermediate communication network coupling the network processing platform to each of a plurality of client premise devices that each comprise: one or more end-device interfaces; an optical transceiver operable to: receive the computed multimedia content in light form for display at one or more of the remote end devices; convert end-device commands and system messages to light form; and transmit the end-device commands and system messages to the optical unit of the network edge optical transceiver; a parser module operable to parse and forward information to one or more of the end devices; a logic module operable to provide end-device management services; a network connection; one or more general purpose input and output end device interface ports; and one or more remote sensors for communicating with one or more general purpose wireless input and output end devices.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the client premise device is operable to support a plurality of computing services and a plurality of computing sessions.
 3. A system for delivering computed multimedia content from a plurality of network-edge locations, the computed multimedia content being operable to deliver a plurality of services, the system comprising: a macro processing system operable to deliver processing power of a plurality of strength levels; an optical unit comprising an optical transceiver that is operable to: receive the computed multimedia content; convert the computed multimedia content to light form; and transmit the computed multimedia content using one or more communication protocols over an intermediate communication network for display at each of a plurality of remote end devices; a multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system operable to enable a plurality of subscribers to each choose from a plurality of operating system environments to perform computing; an allied resources subsystem operable to provide each of the subscribers a plurality of system resources; and an intermediate communication network coupling the network processing platform to each of a plurality of client premise devices that each comprise one or more end-device interfaces and an optical transceiver operable to receive the computed multimedia content in light form for display at one or more of the remote end devices; wherein the multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system comprises: a kernel; one or more procedures operable to provide general operating system functionality; one or more procedures operable to provide a user mode of operation and a kernel mode of operation; one or more procedures for communication between the user mode and the kernel mode; one or more procedures for communication between the user mode and an environment that is outside the multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system; one or more procedures for communication between the kernel mode and the environment outside the multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system; a kernel subscription process operable to spawn one or more unique child kernel subscription processes for a subscription, the kernel subscription process having registries for storing subscriber subscription and authentication information; a master file system operable to perform file system operations in the master operating system and, through one or more kernel hooks, access one or more native file systems of one or more commercial operating systems to perform file system operations, a subscriber selecting a commercial operating system in the file system operations; one or more procedures for service daemons operable to listen, on predefined ports, to respond to subscriber services requests; one or more procedure for allocating processing power to subscribers based on levels of subscription; one or more procedures for allocating allied resources subsystem resources based on levels of subscription; one or more procedures for controlling and regulating operations of the optical unit; one or more procedures for controlling and regulating operations of the macro processing system; one or more procedures for controlling and regulating operations of the allied resources subsystem; one or more procedures for controlling and regulating operations of the client premise devices; one or more procedures for processing subscriber input and output device commands and messages and client premise device commands and messages; one or more procedures for masking subscriber remoteness from commercial operating systems; one or more procedures for masking presence of the multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system from commercial operating systems; one or more procedures for monitoring and maintaining subscription-specific computing service level agreements; one or more procedures for handling over-subscription when the computing system fully or partially exhausts available service capacity; one or more procedures for subscriber selection and use of a commercial operating system; one or more procedures for enabling subscribers to select and use commercial applications and user programs; one or more procedures for upgrading to a newer version of a commercial operating system, switching to a different commercial operating system, and switching back to an older version of a commercial operating system; one or more procedures for management of commercial applications and user programs; one or more procedures for management of commercial operating systems; one or more procedures for memory and storage management; one or more procedures for enabling subscribers to install and uninstall commercial applications and user programs; one or more procedures for enabling subscribers to select and use the multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system as an operating system of choice; one or more procedures for enabling subscribers to switch to master operating systems; one or more procedures for introducing new devices, drivers, and control logic; one or more procedures for enabling subscribers to perform computing from a foreign computing domains; one or more procedures for application and data synchronization when subscribers perform computing from a foreign computing domain; one or more procedures for enabling subscribers to change computing domains; one or more procedures for programming in a master operating system environment and in a commercial operating systems environment; one or more procedures for enabling subscribers to request additional system resources and relinquish excess system resources; and one or more procedures for enabling subscribers to cancel computing subscriptions.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system operates in a unified state for serving subscribers in a semi autonomous or autonomous mode.
 5. A system for delivering computed multimedia content from a plurality of network-edge locations, the computed multimedia content being operable to deliver a plurality of services, the system comprising: a macro processing system operable to deliver processing power of a plurality of strength levels; an optical unit comprising an optical transceiver that is operable to: receive the computed multimedia content; convert the computed multimedia content to light form; and transmit the computed multimedia content using one or more communication protocols over an intermediate communication network for display at each of a plurality of remote end devices; a multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system operable to enable a plurality of subscribers to each choose from a plurality of operating system environments to perform computing; an allied resources subsystem operable to provide each of the subscribers a plurality of system resources; and an intermediate communication network coupling the network processing platform to each of a plurality of client premise devices that each comprise one or more end-device interfaces and an optical transceiver operable to receive the computed multimedia content in light form for display at one or more of the remote end devices; wherein, when the system is booted, the multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system is loaded into a protected memory space of the allied resources subsystem.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein predefined processing power that has been harvested from the macro processing system is permanently dedicated to running the multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system loaded into the protected memory space of the allied resources subsystem.
 7. A system for delivering computed multimedia content from a plurality of network-edge locations, the computed multimedia content being operable to deliver a plurality of services, the system comprising: a macro processing system operable to deliver processing power of a plurality of strength levels; an optical unit comprising an optical transceiver that is operable to: receive the computed multimedia content; convert the computed multimedia content to light form; and transmit the computed multimedia content using one or more communication protocols over an intermediate communication network for display at each of a plurality of remote end devices; a multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system operable to enable a plurality of subscribers to each choose from a plurality of operating system environments to perform computing; an allied resources subsystem operable to provide each of the subscribers a plurality of system resources; and an intermediate communication network coupling the network processing platform to each of a plurality of client premise devices that each comprise one or more end-device interfaces and an optical transceiver operable to receive the computed multimedia content in light form for display at one or more of the remote end devices; wherein system resources are operable to be assigned to a subscriber and, based on usage of the system resources by the subscriber, to be reassigned to a task.
 8. A system for delivering computed multimedia content from a plurality of network-edge locations, the computed multimedia content being operable to deliver a plurality of services, the system comprising: a macro processing system operable to deliver processing power of a plurality of strength levels; an optical unit comprising an optical transceiver that is operable to: receive the computed multimedia content; convert the computed multimedia content to light form; and transmit the computed multimedia content using one or more communication protocols over an intermediate communication network for display at each of a plurality of remote end devices; a multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system operable to enable a plurality of subscribers to each choose from a plurality of operating system environments to perform computing; an allied resources subsystem operable to provide each of the subscribers a plurality of system resources; and an intermediate communication network coupling the network processing platform to each of a plurality of client premise devices that each comprise one or more end-device interfaces and an optical transceiver operable to receive the computed multimedia content in light form for display at one or more of the remote end devices; wherein the plurality of operating system environments comprise one or more of a multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system environment, a MICROSOFT operating system environment, an APPLE MACINTOSH operating system environment, and a UNIX and LINUX operating system environment.
 9. A system for delivering computed multimedia content from a plurality of network-edge locations, the computed multimedia content being operable to deliver a plurality of services, the system comprising: a macro processing system operable to deliver processing power of a plurality of strength levels; an optical unit comprising an optical transceiver that is operable to: receive the computed multimedia content; convert the computed multimedia content to light form; and transmit the computed multimedia content using one or more communication protocols over an intermediate communication network for display at each of a plurality of remote end devices; a multi-user, multi-tasking master operating system operable to enable a plurality of subscribers to each choose from a plurality of operating system environments to perform computing; an allied resources subsystem operable to provide each of the subscribers a plurality of system resources; and an intermediate communication network coupling the network processing platform to each of a plurality of client premise devices that each comprise one or more end-device interfaces and an optical transceiver operable to receive the computed multimedia content in light form for display at one or more of the remote end devices; wherein a subscriber can subscribe to a single last mile computing service or a plurality of last mile computing services, and furthermore subscribers can be of type individual subscribers, group subscribers, corporate subscribers, government subscribers, or a combination thereof. 